Sod turned for police memorial

Construction of the National Police Memorial was started today with a sod-turning ceremony conducted by Governor General Major Michael Jeffery and AFP Commissioner Mick Keelty.

The memorial is in Kings Park, near the carillon, and should be completed by 29 September which is National Police Remembrance Day.

The memorial commemorates all police officers who have died as a result of their duties. Commissioner Keelty said it would represent all jurisdictions in Australia.

“The memorial will also recognise the unique nature of police service and the special men and women who face danger in their daily lives for the protection of the Australian community,” he said.

The memorial’s design, by a Brisbane-based company, features a main wall clad in cast bronze panels and a sloping granite floor with inlaid text. It was chosen from 77 entries in an international competition.